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Moses Suli's Canterbury exit could open door for Marshall-King
Adrian Proszenko
28 February 2018 — 4:59pm
The release of Moses Suli from Canterbury less than a month after he arrived at Belmore has given another former Tiger, Jeremy Marshall-King, an opportunity to take the troubled teen’s spot in the top squad.
Suli, who made headlines after signing a rich $1.3 million contract at Wests Tigers before he had even played an NRL game, parted company with the joint-venture outfit due to attitude problems. It was hoped a change of scene would result in the precociously talented teenager knuckling down and fulfilling his undoubted potential.
However, the Bulldogs brought things to a head after issuing Suli with three warnings for incidents including turning up late to training, leaving early and skipping rehab sessions.
Suli’s departure has freed up a spot in Canterbury’s top-30 roster and the biggest beneficiary is Marshall-King. The younger brother of Benji Marshall also switched from Wests Tigers to the blue and whites during the off-season on a one-year contract. After impressing during the summer, it’s understood the hooking utility is close to finalising an upgraded, three-year deal that will catapult him into the selection frame for the season-opener against Melbourne in Perth.
Marshall-King made his NRL debut in the final game of last season and can provide cover from the bench for hooker and positions in the backline.
Suli, meanwhile, is at the crossroads. He had been commuting to training from Fairfield and there was a feeling he would benefit from moving closer to Belmore. The club helped to identify accommodation closer to his work, but the shift didn't have the desired effect.
Canterbury coach Dean Pay had taken Moses aside shortly after he arrived at Belmore as soon as it appeared he was slipping back into bad habits. But the Tongan three-quarter didn’t heed the advice and his career is again in the crossroads after being shown the door by two clubs within the space of a month.
“Ultimately, we’ve got a standard at this club. It doesn’t matter who you are, you have to meet it,” Hill said.
“It’s a united, committed group. Dean has made his standards clear and this is an example of needing to buy into what he and his staff have implemented.
“Moses came here for an opportunity and after a few weeks, it was clear this is something he didn’t want to do.”
It’s understood Suli still has ambitions to add to his 16-game NRL tally, but the latest setback will severely affect his asking price if he is given another lifeline.
Suli agreed that it was time to take a break and reflect on his future.
"I think that it is right for me and the Bulldogs that I take some time away from the game to re-assess what the future holds for me,” Suli said in a statement.
“I want to thank the Bulldogs for the opportunity that they have given me and I leave the club with no hard feelings whatsoever."
The Moses gamble won’t be a costly one for the Bulldogs. The-19 year-old was on a relatively low wage in the first season of his new three-year deal, meaning there won’t be any costly payouts.
Adrian Proszenko
28 February 2018 — 4:59pm
The release of Moses Suli from Canterbury less than a month after he arrived at Belmore has given another former Tiger, Jeremy Marshall-King, an opportunity to take the troubled teen’s spot in the top squad.
Suli, who made headlines after signing a rich $1.3 million contract at Wests Tigers before he had even played an NRL game, parted company with the joint-venture outfit due to attitude problems. It was hoped a change of scene would result in the precociously talented teenager knuckling down and fulfilling his undoubted potential.
However, the Bulldogs brought things to a head after issuing Suli with three warnings for incidents including turning up late to training, leaving early and skipping rehab sessions.
Suli’s departure has freed up a spot in Canterbury’s top-30 roster and the biggest beneficiary is Marshall-King. The younger brother of Benji Marshall also switched from Wests Tigers to the blue and whites during the off-season on a one-year contract. After impressing during the summer, it’s understood the hooking utility is close to finalising an upgraded, three-year deal that will catapult him into the selection frame for the season-opener against Melbourne in Perth.
Marshall-King made his NRL debut in the final game of last season and can provide cover from the bench for hooker and positions in the backline.
Suli, meanwhile, is at the crossroads. He had been commuting to training from Fairfield and there was a feeling he would benefit from moving closer to Belmore. The club helped to identify accommodation closer to his work, but the shift didn't have the desired effect.
Canterbury coach Dean Pay had taken Moses aside shortly after he arrived at Belmore as soon as it appeared he was slipping back into bad habits. But the Tongan three-quarter didn’t heed the advice and his career is again in the crossroads after being shown the door by two clubs within the space of a month.
“Ultimately, we’ve got a standard at this club. It doesn’t matter who you are, you have to meet it,” Hill said.
“It’s a united, committed group. Dean has made his standards clear and this is an example of needing to buy into what he and his staff have implemented.
“Moses came here for an opportunity and after a few weeks, it was clear this is something he didn’t want to do.”
It’s understood Suli still has ambitions to add to his 16-game NRL tally, but the latest setback will severely affect his asking price if he is given another lifeline.
Suli agreed that it was time to take a break and reflect on his future.
"I think that it is right for me and the Bulldogs that I take some time away from the game to re-assess what the future holds for me,” Suli said in a statement.
“I want to thank the Bulldogs for the opportunity that they have given me and I leave the club with no hard feelings whatsoever."
The Moses gamble won’t be a costly one for the Bulldogs. The-19 year-old was on a relatively low wage in the first season of his new three-year deal, meaning there won’t be any costly payouts.
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